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The Women’s Big Bash League ($\text{WBBL}$) was plunged into controversy on Friday at the Adelaide Oval after the clash between the Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder was abandoned in bizarre fashion, with the Thunder just moments away from securing a crucial victory.
The day’s schedule was already hampered by persistent rain, which led to the early fixture between the Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers being called off without a ball bowled—handing the winless Heat their first points of the season.
Thunder Near Victory in Five-Over Dash
Following long delays, the evening match was reduced to a high-pressure five-over sprint. Thunder captain Phoebe Litchfield won the toss and opted to chase.
- Strikers’ Innings: The Strikers managed to post 45 runs for 2 wickets, propped up by Laura Wolvaardt’s 22 off 13 balls. The total was kept low thanks to disciplined bowling from Shabnim Ismail and Chamari Athapaththu, who were economical with the ball.
- Litchfield’s Assault: The Thunder’s reply was electric. Litchfield immediately went on the attack, smashing five boundaries off Darcie Brown’s over alone, capitalizing on the wet ball. The Thunder surged to 43 runs without loss in less than three overs.
The Controversial Abandonment
The drama peaked in the third over of the chase. With the Sydney Thunder needing only three runs from 13 deliveries to win, a light drizzle returned.
The umpires made the sudden decision to take the players off the field and subsequently called the match off entirely, declaring a No Result. The decision sparked immediate outrage among the Thunder camp and commentators, who labeled the abandonment an “embarrassment for the game,” noting that the rain was lighter than at several stages when play had continued earlier.
Both teams, desperate for the two points to improve their standing (currently sixth and seventh), were left to split the points, concluding a highly frustrating and controversial day of cricket at the Adelaide Oval.
Brief Scores:
Adelaide Strikers 45/2 (5 ov) vs. Sydney Thunder 43/0 (2.5 ov). Match Abandoned (No Result).
ImageCredirs: CricBuzz
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